Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Crikey! Just looking at his muscles is exhausting.
Wait until you hear what he’s been up to. At 5pm yesterday while you were on the sofa, he was finishing his 40th marathon in 40 days.
I planned to go for a run…
That attitude certainly wasn’t what made Richard a Paralympic gold medal winner. Of course, Richard was not content to rest on his laurels after receiving an MBE for his achievements at the 2012 Paralympics. Instead, he decided to run from John O’Groats to Land’s End by completing a marathon a day. So far he has raised £105,000 for charities Scope and Sarcoma UK.
Where is Richard from exactly, Mount Olympus?
Nottingham, actually. Richard, 37, was born without legs which made P.E. lessons at his primary school difficult, so his parents enrolled him in extracurricular gymnastic and swimming clubs. He used to dream of running as a child, but had to wait until he was 28 when prosthetics technology became advanced enough.
Running became his career in 2004. He now holds the world record for athletes with a double amputation in both the half and Olympic marathon distances. He also used to be an ice sledge hockey player and competed at the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Turin. Needless to say, he’s been through a “good few” pairs of blades on his marathon.
Phew! Perhaps he could offer me some motivational advice?
The motto of his marathon is “celebrating life without limits”. Richard’s website usefully answers the question, “why would anyone run a marathon a day from John O’Groats to Land’s End?”. “The answer is simple,” it says, “to prove that any barrier can be overcome.”
After his 40-day slog, his words after he reached the finish line were: “I’m really tired. It has been really tough the last couple of days.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments